A number of popular Fantasy assets cast aside their goal-shy domestic displays to find the net yesterday. Wayne Rooney, Alexis Sanchez, Harry Kane and Sadio Mane all delivered, whilst David Silva, Ross Barkley and Cheikhou Kouyate maintained their fine recent form.
Rooney Equals Three Lions Record
Manchester United’s premier frontman netted from the penalty spot in a 6-0 win over San Marino, equalling Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time England scoring record of 49 goals.
The Scout Says: Allied with his hat-trick against Club Brugge in the Red Devils’ Champions League playoff, Wayne Rooney has now bagged four goals in his last two starts outside of the Premier League. That’s in stark contrast to his recent domestic record, with the out-of-form striker failing to net in ten matches for only the second time in his career. Now in the midst of an 864-minute top-flight goal drought, Rooney was discarded by over 500,000 Fantasy managers in the build up to Gameweeks 3 and 4, reflecting a lack of confidence that he can register at home to Liverpool and away to Southampton in the coming weeks. Rooney’s remaining 23% ownership will hope that England’s midweek clash against Switzerland marks the day that the talismanic striker hits his half-century, instilling a fresh wave of belief that carries through to the league.
Silva Guides Spain to Victory
David Silva was quick to make an impact for Spain last night, supplying the assist for Jordi Alba’s early opener in a 2-0 home win over Slovakia. Chelsea trio Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Pedro started the match for Vicente del Bosque’s side, with Santi Cazorla replacing Fabregas off the bench midway through the second period. The likes of David de Gea, Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta were all unused subs for the hosts.
The Scout Says: Silva’s creativity has been equally impressive on the domestic scene, where his tally of four assists is more than any player in the top-flight over the first four Gameweeks. With Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero both turning on the style for Belgium and Argentina over the weekend, Silva’s owners will be reassured by last night’s showing as the league leaders prepare for an outstanding run of fixtures which has their big-hitters jostling for our attention. Sitting in 18% of FPL sides, Silva now faces Palace, West Ham, Spurs, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Norwich and Villa in the next eight Gameweeks as Manuel Pellegrini’s men look to maintain their 100% start to the season.
Barkley Form Continues
Ross Barkley scored a stooped header 13 seconds into the second half to grant the Three Lions a 3-0 lead over San Marino, before teeing up Theo Walcott for the visitors’ sixth of the evening.
The Scout Says: The early signs this season suggest that Barkley could finally realise his potential in an Everton and England shirt. Aside from starting the campaign with back-to-back goals (and an assist), the Liverpool-born midfielder ranks joint-fourth for goal attempts (13) and joint-second for shots on target (six) among his counterparts. Injuries permitting, Barkley’s well on course to break his record goal tally (six) from the 2013/14 season and – at 6.7 on the Fantasy market – has naturally attracted a sizeable 15.1% ownership. That being said, prospective suitors will be wary of the fact that he’s drawn consecutive blanks during tough encounters against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, with further challenging match-ups on the horizon. Certainly, Barkley will attract major investment if he can deliver strong attacking returns over the next six Gameweeks (CHE, swa, wba, LIV, MUN, ars), though many will be prepaered to wait until the schedule turns kinder in Gameweek 11.
Sanchez Fires Chile to Victory
Alexis Sanchez grabbed a late winner for Chile over Paraguay late last night, tapping in at the back post to complete a 3-2 victory.
The Scout Says: Sanchez’s lacklustre start this term has been symptomatic of an overarching theme, with the traditional big-hitters (Sanchez, Eden Hazard and Sergio Aguero) failing to deliver on their hefty price tags. It’s somewhat of a mystery that the Chilean livewire hasn’t etched his name onto the scoresheet yet, considering that he ranks top for attempts (20) and second for shots inside the box (15) among all players in the league. His 12.6% ownership will be comforted by those numbers – given that he’s fashioning a wealth of chances in an underperforming Arsenal side – but will be desperate for the 11.0-priced midfielder to break his barren spell after the international break. Stoke City visit the Emirates next Gameweek, before Arsene Wenger’s men embark on a trip to Chelsea. While Arsenal have lost their last two visits to Stamford Bridge by an aggregate of 8-0, Sanchez owners will be buoyed by the fact that the Blues have conceded more big chances (nine) at home than any side in the league.
Walcott at the Double
Arsene Wenger was given further reason for optimism after Theo Walcott got amongst the goals for England. Having only entered the fray at the 67-minute mark in place of Arsenal team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the winger still found time to bag a brace with two routine finishes against San Marino.
The Scout Says: A favourite among our community prior to Gameweek 1, Walcott has been used sparingly by Wenger so far this term, earning his first start during the Gunners’ unconvincing 1-0 win over Newcastle United last weekend. Favoured over Olivier Giroud, the jet-heeled forward did little to stamp his authority on the centre-forward berth at St James’ Park, tallying three attempts (one on target) against a Magpies outfit that played with 10 men from the 16th minute. With both Aaron Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain earning starts ahead of Walcott on the right flank, he looks set to be limited to an impact role off the bench and occasional assignments as the lone striker, diminishing his relevance on the Fantasy scene. Giroud owners, meanwhile, will be hoping the Frenchman can barge his way backup the pecking order in light of Walcott’s St James’ Park showing.
Mane Nets in Senegal Victory
Southampton winger Sadio Mane helped Senegal strengthen their position at the top of Group K in the AFCoN qualifiers by netting the second in a 2-0 win over Namibia.
The Scout Says: Having struggled for returns in the opening three Gameweeks, the Saints midfielder seems to have found his form. Mane signed off on domestic duties by serving up an 11-point haul, courtesy of two assists and a pair of bonus points in the 3-0 home win over Norwich. Now down to 7.8 in FPL, Mane sits in just 4% of sides, though his differential appeal is somewhat lessened by the schedule, which pits the St Mary’s side against West Brom, United, Swansea, Chelsea, Leicester and Liverpool in the next six Gameweeks.
Kouyate in the Goals Again
West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate maintained his fine recent form by heading home a first-half opener for Senegal yesterday afternoon.
The Scout Says: Thanks in part to the Riyad Mahrez bandwagon, Kouyate has remained firmly under the radar so far. Despite serving up two goals and an assist in the first four Gameweeks – blanking on just one occasion – the Hammers midfielder has risen from 5.5 to 5.6 and currently sits in just 4% of FPL sides, with most Fantasy managers turning to the (now 6.1-priced) Leicester wide man when shopping in a similar bracket. Kouyate has outscored team-mate Dimitri Payet by 25 points to 20 so far and has fired seven shots inside the box to the Frenchman’s two ahead of some favourable fixtures. With Newcastle, Norwich, Sunderland and Palace in the next five, the Senegal midfielder has the platform to continue his recent showings.
Olsson Steps Up Comeback
Norwich defender Martin Olsson took a major step forward in his recovery from a shoulder injury by playing the full 90 minutes of Sweden’s clash with Russia.
The Scout Says: With Olsson sidelined for the first four Gameweeks, Robbie Brady has been stationed in the left-back berth, allowing Jonny Howson a spot on the left of midfield. Although he’s managed just one assist so far, Brady has excelled for the Canaries, producing ten key passes and nine attempts on goal from his defensive berth. Olsson’s return should afford the Irishman a chance to oust Howson from the left flank as Alex Neil’s side prepare to face Bournemouth, West Ham, Leicester and Newcastle in the next five Gameweeks.
Kane Opens Season Acount
Harry Kane scored his second goal in three England outings, lofting a sublime chip over the San Marino keeper following Jonjo Shelvey’s defence-splitting through ball.
The Scout Says: In the wake four successive blanks this term, over 400,000 Fantasy managers have already cashed in on the Tottenham forward. Notwithstanding the calibre of the opposition, Kane’s exemplary finish for the Three Lions underlines his clear quality and could act as the catalyst to kick-start his campaign as he looks to rediscover the form that harvested 21 goals in the season gone by. Despite suffering significant sales, Kane still remains in over 22% of FPL sides ahead of back-to-back clashes with Sunderland and Palace’s porous defences.
